I am about 7 months removed from reconstruction and swelling!

Question

I am about 7 months removed from my reconstruction following a prophylactic mastectomy. I am your perfectly healthy 25 year old whose recovery was nothing but normal. One day I realized my right breast was larger (swollen) than normal and was irritated. Not the skin but under the tissue. Its gotten uncomfortable enough that it wakes me up at night, I can no longer sleep on my belly (I was able to a few months after). What is going on? My surgeon said my implant is intact and not impacted.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Without a physical exam or some pictures, it is going to be hard to offer you any specific advice regarding your issue. If you are 7 months out from a reconstruction and are having onset of swelling, that is something that needs to be addressed and evaluated. You should schedule an appointment with your breast surgeon, your plastic surgeon, or both to be evaluated. It could be related to your mastectomy and/or reconstruction. Sometimes this can be from lymph fluid. It could also be something such as capsular contracture. Only through an in-person exam with someone familiar with your case are you going to start to get to the bottom of the problem.Best of luck!

Rachel Streu, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thanks for posting your question.Based on your description, you should be evaluated by your surgeon in person. New onset swelling many months after complete recovery after implant based reconstruction is worrisome for complications such as seroma, hematoma, delayed infection, etc.

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